Yanin Alfaro (EN)
Tech & Funding Reporter
English
Startups in Games, Education, Construction, Workshops Secure New Funding
This week, Latin American startups Mecanizou, Cometa, Jungle and Makasi received capital
Startups
Corporate VC Seen as Option for Global, Latin Startups Due to Current Banking Crisis
Femsa Ventures was the sixth largest startup investor in Mexico in 2022, according to Transactional Track Record data
English
Rounds of the Week: Energy, Retail and Finance Startups Receive Funding
GoTrendier, 77Sol, Quadrado Express, Proesc and Vermiculus are among the Latin American startups that raised this week
English
In the Wake of SVB Collapse, Could Mercury or Brex Fill the Role of Fintechs’ Bank?
The consequences of the collapse of Silicon Valley Bank could leave a hole in the fintech segment that will not be easy to fill, according to analysts
English
Rounds of the Week: Argentina’s Michroma, Brazil’s Barte Raise Funds
Argentine biotech startup Michroma and Brazilian fintech Barte raised millions in an intense week for the startup ecosystem
English
How Do Digital Nomads Affect Mexico’s Economy?
The number of remote and home-office workers who have set up shop in Mexico has swelled, and Bloomberg Línea looks at how their presence, and spending, affect the local economy
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Startups Voicemod, Amora, Webee and Mattilda Raise Funds
Early-stage startups in Latin America that raised funds this week work with AI, property management and the education sector
English
Soonicorns: Some of Latin America’s Startups On the Cusp of Hitting a $1B Valuation
The drop in venture capital investment in Latin America has left dozens of companies a step away from becoming unicorns
English
Rounds of the Week: Brazilian Automation Platforms Dattos and 4intelligence Raise Funds
This week two early-stage automation platforms received investments in Brazil
English
Nearshoring Seen Attracting Venture Capital to Mexico, In Addition to FDI
In addition to boosting foreign direct investment (FDI), nearshoring could also attract financing to startups engaged in the logistics, transportation and manufacturing sectors
English
Latin American Tech Talent In Short Supply as Digitization Drives Demand
The gap between supply and demand for tech talent in the region can be narrowed with more training, according to sector insiders
English
Elon Musk, Mexico’s President to Hold Phone Call to Discuss Possible Tesla Investment
Mexico’s Foreign Minister Marcelo Ebrard said Musk and President Andrés Manuel López Obrador will discuss details of the construction of a Tesla plant in the country
Startups
Rounds of the Week: The Climate Box, Estoca, Vexi, Vaas and Ulend Raise Funds
The emergence of neobanks is sparking the interest of venture capital investors in Latin America; this week two of them attracted investments
English
Rounds of the Week: Arthur Mining, Vai and Ruedata Raise Funds
The number of investment deals in 2022 in Latin America was a 1.38% increase over 2021, but the total amount dropped by 60.8%, meaning the majority of investments were in seed rounds
English
Rounds of the Week: Diferente, Viva Translate, Paketá and Symbiomics Raise Capital
Despite the deceleration of funding, Latin American startups are still raising capital, according to LAVCA
English
Which Latin American Companies Are Already Using ChatGPT?
The chatbot using AI is being used by Mexican bank Banorte, Avocados From Mexico, and Peruvian talent development platform Crehana
English
How Pay-by-Bank Method Could Reduce Fraud and Boost Digital Payments In Mexico
Pay by Bank is a payment method based on open banking developed by the country’s central bank, and which also promises to lower the cost of transactions
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Juvo, Yave and Transfeera Secure Funds
2022 was a record year for early-stage startups in Latin America, and in the first month of 2023 the ‘early’ investment trend looks set to continue
English
How a Mexican Launched a Spanish-Language Streaming Service Targeting Latinos In US
CanelaTV offers content ‘by Latinos for Latinos’, has secured funding in the US and is penetrating the Mexican and Colombian markets
Startups
Scanntech, KLYM, Parfin, Rocketfy, and Scouter Among the Ones Who Raised Capital in LatAm
Beyond fintech, this week investors bet on collaborative economy and e-commerce, among others.
English
Mexican Internet Association Names New Leadership Amidst Reports of Bad Management
Analí Díaz Infante takes on the role following controversy surrounding her predecessor’s exit, and which resulted in the resignation of most of the association’s advisory board members
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Genial Care, BioElements and OrderEAT Raise Funds
The first venture capitalist rounds in 2023 for Latin America targeted healthtech, cleantech and foodtech
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Bricksave, Hero Guest Kick Off 2023 Funding In LatAm
In a slightly smaller round than it expected to receive for its Series A, Argentine proptech Bricksave has received investment from Graphene Ventures
English
Which Are the Most In-Demand Tech Professions In Latin America In 2023?
Tech trends and experts point out the most sought-after professionals in the region this year, such as specialists in software, cloud computing, 5G, the metaverse and blockchain
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Aviva, Klubi and Jusfy Raise Funding
Despite being a year of falling venture capital investment, Latin American early-stage startups raised rounds this week
News in English
Venture Capital In 2023: What LatAm Startups Can Expect, According to Investors
The fundraising market is cooling and has yet to hit bottom, but a recovery could come in the second half of next year, investors say
News in English
Latin American Startups Take On Record Debt In 2022 Amid Dearth of VC Funding
$1.3 billion in debt was disbursed in Latin America in 2022, breaking the previous record of $823 million in 2021
News in English
Mexico’s Aviva Raises $2.2M In Pre-Seed Round, One of Year’s Largest In LatAm
The fintech launched by former executives at Citi, Scotiabank and Konfío say Wollef, Newtopia, Seedstars, 500 Startups and Xtraordinary VP participated in the financing round
News in English
Seed Capital Availability in LatAm Could Make 2023 a Good Year to Start a Business
Bloomberg Línea looks at which sectors are the most attractive in which to launch a startup in Latin America next year
News in English
Venture Capital Investment in Latin America Continues to Decline
Transactional Track Record’s latest report points to a 5% drop in the number of transactions to November in comparison with last year
News in English
Rounds of the Week: Agritech Dominates Investment in Latin American Startups
Argentine company Kilimo, Chile’s WiseConn and Brazilian startup Seedz, all of which are dedicated to improving irrigation systems and raising agricultural yields, raised funds this week
News in English
Latina Launches Nopal-Based Bath and Body Brand and Woos US Consumers, Investors
Sandra Velásquez gave up a music career to launch a brand of natural hygiene products made from the nopal cactus, and who is seeking to compete with international brands
News in English
Investment in LatAm Seed-Stage Startups Will Flow Despite Recession, Magical CEO Says
Juan Orlandi, CEO of accelerator Magical says early-stage startups remain strong, whether or not a recession rolls in next year
News in English
Former Employees Lambast Kavak for Customer Service Failures, Bad Management
Former employees of Latin America’s most valuable startup tell Bloomberg Línea about the company’s problems in the markets in which it operates
News in English
Rounds of the Week: Piwi, Scaleup, Typcal, BioEsol and Smart Break Raise Funds
Bloomberg Línea rounds up the Latin American startups that received funding this week
News in English
Mexican Crypto Unicorn Bitso Cuts 25% of Staff After FTX Crash
The Tiger Global-backed cryptocurrency exchange laid off 25% of its staff following the collapse of crypto exchange FTX
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Talently, Flourish and Klavi Raise Funds
While late-stage enterprises are struggling with valuations and a shortage of capital, early-stage startups continue to capture investment
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Early-Stage Rounds Keep Pushing LatAm’s Startup Segment
Tul, Fácil Consulta, Trii, Trully were some of the Latin American startups that received funding this week
News in English
Mexican Customers Switch from Banks to Fintechs, But Penetration Remains Low
Studies by global firms show that Mexicans are using both types of financial institution, seeking neobanks for credit cards and loans, but are also maintaining an account with a traditional bank
Tech & Funding
FTX Collapse Could Trigger ‘Domino Effect’ for Crypto Exchanges, LatAm Industry Experts Say
Experts talk of ‘natural selection’ for crypto trading firms, in yet another chapter that could lead to investors fleeing risky assets
Startups
Rounds of the Week: N1co, Liti, Perfekto and Leapr Secure Funding
Fintech, healthtech, foodtech and metaverse are the industries that raised seed-stage capital in Latin America this week
News in English
Chilean Unicorn Betterfly Buys Brazilian Startup SeuVale
One year since landing in Brazil, Betterfly has acquired SeuVale, which offers flexible benefit options
News in English
Beat Exits Argentina, Mexico and Peru to Focus on European Markets
The ride-hailing app exits the three Latin American markets from November 9 to focus on Europe, but the company’s Peru division has hinted at an imminent global closure
Tech & Funding
Twitter Layoffs: Uncertainty Persists at Platform’s Latin America Operations
The mass layoffs announced by Twitter last Friday also affected its main markets in Latin America: Brazil and Mexico, although it is not yet known how much
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Beep, Zerezes and Aerialoop Capture Capital
This year looks set to be a record year for seed-stage investment in Latin America, as the amount invested outpaces that of 2021
News in English
Mexico City Residents Bemoan Rent Hikes, Gentrification Driven By Airbnb Rentals
The accommodation rentals platform is blamed for rent increases that affect locals, with observers eyeing the need to adopt measures implemented in other cities around the world
Startups
Kavak Restructures Corporate Team in Mexico as Growth Stalls
The second-hand vehicle sales platform is carrying out a corporate restructuring as sales fall short of expectations, a person familiar with the matter told Bloomberg Línea
News in English
How a Quarter Bereft of Unicorns Bodes Badly for Latin American Startups
There are 47 “soonicorns” in the region that are awaiting more funding rounds to reach unicorn status
News in English
Rounds of the Week: Franq, Faster, Vixtra and Nopalera Raise Funds
After a record 2021, venture capital investment in Latin America is “returning to pre-pandemic levels,” according to LAVCA
Startups
Rounds of the Week: Kukun, Lara AI and Traive Among LatAm Startups to Raise Funds
Brazil and Mexico continue to attract more capital in the region, according to the latest report from Transactional Track Record